(((O))) Live: Death Metal Violence Tour – Dysentery • Anhedonia • 357 Homicide at Fuel Rock, Cardiff

Monday night in Cardiff is always going to be a tough gig so it’s heart-warming to see a relatively lively crowd turn out for the Death Metal Violence Tour featuring 357 Homicide, Anhedonia, and brutal death metal legends Dysentery. Located in the back room of Fuel Rock Club, it’s a suitably condensed, if somewhat limited-view space.

Manchester slam merchants 357 Homicide open proceedings with their chunky sound belying the fact they are a two-piece. Formulated from the swamp and embracing grindcore slowed down, it’s the nu-slam sound of Party Cannon mixed with a bastardised version of the torture chambers of Sanguisugabogg, vomited from Manchester. At first look you wouldn’t class them as slam heavy beasts, but there you have it. Appearances are deceptive. 357 Homicide are heavy as fuck.

Anhedonia are a whole other prospect and as good as the opening band were, the dynamics of the Michigan band are enough to even blow the headliners off the stage. In a night where appearances are deceptive, the band look like they are channeling the violence of hardcore but wrapping it up in the cuddly death metal of Cannibal Corpse. With an innate understanding of the dynamics of death metal, they expose the space they are playing in to a masterclass of brutal slam metal.

Dysentery may be brutal death metal legends, but after Anhedonia they lose a bit of the energy – which is a shame as they deliver a short, yet heavy set of low-tuned death metal. Prowling the stage like a bunch of cowpunks they strike a formidable sight. Movement starts in the pit, but as is the way with modern death metal shows it’s more a case of strutting your stuff like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever rather than the classic pushing and pulling of old. No matter to the band who soldier on through what seems a relatively short set.

So there you have it. Death metal is alive and well in Cardiff on a Monday night, and as the tour progresses through the UK and into Europe you sense that each band will carry on picking up new fans. For two of the bands it’s their first time in Europe, so you have to admire the commitment to come over here to play such short sets. Go support them on their travels and keep the death metal fire burning.